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TL;DR
In a hurry? Here's our pick of the top news items of the week.
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TikTok is reportedly building a new version of its platform for users in the US ahead of a planned sale to a group of investors. (Deadline)
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OpenAI is planning to launch an AI web browser in the coming weeks and could build its Operator AI agent into it, allowing the agent to book reservations, fill out forms, and complete other tasks on a user’s behalf. (The Verge)
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James Gunn's "Superman" made $22.5M in box office previews, the biggest of the year so far. (Variety)
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The largest Legoland park to date, Legoland Shanghai Resort, celebrated its grand opening to the public this week. (Reuters)
Audiences
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Over 50% of Netflix's global members now watch anime, with viewership tripling over the past five years. (Netflix)
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US adults spend an average of 2 hours and 29 minutes per day watching traditional TV in 2025, more than any other media activity. (Emarketer)
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41% of global Gen Z consumers use social media as their first source when looking for information, 32% turn to traditional search engines, and 11% use chat-based AI. (Marketing Dive)
Platforms
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Meta is gifting its verified status to select creators as a means to increase interest in its paid subscription offering. (Social Media Today)
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Male users now represent more than one-third of Pinterest’s global audience, according to a new report from the platform. (Pinterest)
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X announced it will soon charge for ads based on the size of the visuals. (Social Media Today)
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Starting this week, an update to YouTube's monetization rules will tighten restrictions on inauthentic content, including AI-generated videos. (The Verge)
Content
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A24 and CMC Pictures are planning to release an English-language version of the world’s top-grossing animated film, "Ne Zha 2," in North American theaters this summer. (THR)
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"Squid Game 3" had a record-breaking run, achieving Netflix's best 10-day viewership ever with 106.3M views. (HypeBeast)
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ESPN reported record-breaking viewership for the F1 British Grand Prix in the US with 1.5M viewers. (SBNation)
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Disney and ITV have forged a streaming content partnership that will see each brand distribute a sampling of the other’s film and TV library on their respective services. (The Desk)
Tech &
AI-
Google is adding an image-to-video generation feature to its Veo 3 AI video generator through its Gemini app. (Tech Crunch)
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Grok is coming to Tesla vehicles next week, according to Elon Musk. (Tech Crunch)
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Meta bought a minority stake in the world’s largest eyewear manufacturer, EssilorLuxottica SA, deepening its commitment to the fast-growing smart glasses industry. (Bloomberg)
Location-based
entertainment-
Lady Gaga’s four Singapore concerts in May boosted the country’s economy by an estimated $78M, raising the number of inbound visitors by 8% during the month. (Ticketing Business)
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Chuck E. Cheese announced "Chuck’s Arcade," a new arcade concept designed for adults who grew up competing for high scores with friends. (Blooloop)
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Developer KIT World announced plans to create a “5D theme park” on Yeongjong Island in South Korea. (Blooloop)
Travel &
hospitality-
International visits to the US fell 3.4% YoY in June, dropping to 80% of pre-pandemic levels. (Skift)
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Marriott broke ground on the first fully electric, net-zero emissions hotel under its brand, a 115-room property in Vermont. (Skift)
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Virgin Atlantic will become the first UK airline to install Starlink satellite internet across its fleet, offering free high-speed Wi-Fi and streaming. (Virgin Atlantic)
Gaming
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"Dragon Age: The Veilguard" won "Game of the Year" and "Best LGBTQ+ Character" at the 2025 Gayming Awards. (gamesindustry.biz)
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Following an 11-month strike over generative AI, SAG-AFTRA has ratified its new contract with major video game companies, officially ending the strike. (Variety)
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Coal Supper and Panic Inc.'s "Thank Goodness You’re Here!" took home several awards at the Develop:Star Awards, including "Best Game." (gamesindustry.biz)
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Video game sales inched up 1% YoY to $4.05B in June, although year-to-date revenue is down 6% at $21.8B. (Media Play News)
